ideally
adverb
ide·al·ly
ī-ˈdē-ə-lē 
-ˈdē(-ə)l-lē
1
b
: for best results
Ideally, the counselor should vary his techniques for each applicant …—
T. M. Martinez
T. M. Martinez
c
: in accordance with an ideal or typical standard : classically
2
: in relation to an exemplar
3
: in idea or imagination : mentally
… was afraid of the gallows. She was terrified of them ideally. Having never set eyes on that last argument of men's justice …—Joseph Conrad
Joseph ConradExamples of ideally in a Sentence
His skills made him ideally suited for the job.
They were ideally suited to one another.
The ski slope was situated ideally.
Recent Examples on the Web
Pau Cubarsi’s elevation to the first XI as a 16-year-old shows that Barca isn’t afraid to throw young defenders in at the deep end, and the Dutchman would ideally become a long-term partner to the La Masia product.
—Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
This means testing yourself at the same time every day, ideally early in the morning or at least several hours after a meal.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026
The Sepulveda Transit Corridor project would connect the Westside to the San Fernando Valley in less than 20 minutes and ideally eliminate traffic congestion along one of the nation’s busiest corridors by offering an alternative to the snarling 405 Freeway over the Santa Monica Mountains.
—Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
They are employed to ask questions the market wants answered, ideally as quickly as possible.
—Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ideally
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Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
This means testing yourself at the same time every day, ideally early in the morning or at least several hours after a meal.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026
The Sepulveda Transit Corridor project would connect the Westside to the San Fernando Valley in less than 20 minutes and ideally eliminate traffic congestion along one of the nation’s busiest corridors by offering an alternative to the snarling 405 Freeway over the Santa Monica Mountains.
—Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
They are employed to ask questions the market wants answered, ideally as quickly as possible.
—Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ideally
Cite this Entry
“Ideally.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ideally. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ideally
adverb
ide·al·ly
ī-ˈdē-ə-lē
-ˈdē(-ə)l-lē
1
: in agreement with an ideal : perfectly
ideally suited to the job
2
: for best results
ideally, each student should arrive early
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